The gospel on celebrity and pop culture

Alex Pettyfer's home catches fire on day of 'Beastly' premiere

February 25, 2011 | 1:31
pm

You could say that Alex Pettyfer had to put out a fire before arriving late to the premiere of his newest film, "Beastly," a modern-day telling of "Beauty and the Beast" that costars Vanessa Hudgens and Neil Patrick Harris.

A small fire broke out at the actor's home shortly before he was scheduled to arrive at the Grove in Los Angeles for the film's Thursday premiere. But the British actor said it was that pesky L.A. traffic that made him late.

Fire officials responded to a fire in the 1300 block of North Beverly Drive near Beverly Hills at 5:41 p.m. Flames were emanating from a detached garage and firefighters from four fire companies were able to put them out by 6:05 p.m., Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Greg Acevedo said.

There were no injuries reported and no damage figure was given. Fire officials are still investigating the cause, he said.

Acevedo couldn't confirm that it was Pettyfer's home; however, it was widely reported that the 20-year-old lived there.

"There was a small electrical fire in the garage of Alex Pettyfer's house last night," his rep told People in a statement. "It was immediately contained. There was no significant damage, and Alex, though slightly delayed, was at his premiere last night."

"There was a little last-minute emergency with Alex Pettyfer. Everything is fine, but Alex had a little fire hence the late start but ... he's fine and he's here," the film's director, Daniel Barnz, said when he introduced the film at the screening. But sources said Pettyfer bailed on the party at nearby Whisper Lounge after the screening.

Pettyfer had shared the home with "Glee" star Dianna Agron while they were dating and were rumored to be engaged (they weren't). But the couple called it quits earlier this month, after which it was reported -- and then debunked -- that Agron was "terrified" of her ex-roomie/"I Am Number Four" costar. So though "smoke" was rumored before this fire, there's no reason to connect them.